Record breaking Antonelli on Pole
Kimi Antonelli will lead the pack away for the Grand Prix after making history.
Antonelli makes history
It may have been a poor Sprint Race for Antonelli, but he put it behind him and made history as he took pole position ahead of his teammate George Russell. At just 19 years old, the Italian has become the youngest Polesitter in Formula 1 history. Breaking the record held by Sebastian Vettel he held since 2008. Antonelli was 2 tenths quicker than his more experienced teammate, who only got to do 1 lap in Q3 due to issues with changing gears in his Mercedes. Antonelli has so far struggled at lights out both in Melbourne and the Sprint Race. But will starting from pole give him the push he needs to get that correct?
The prancing horse's looking to spoil the day
As Mercedes' enjoy another front-row lockout, the 2 Ferrari's behind will be hungry to put an end to Mercedes' dominance. With the far better pace of the start line, and both cars on the second row, the Scuderia pose a big threat to the Silver Arrows, and if they can manage to get past them at the start and break away from them, Ferrari stand a chance of taking the win. However in the 2 races so far this season, they haven't been able to match the long term pace Mercedes' have.
Red Bull continue to slump
It's P8 and P9 for Red Bull in qualifying, as their poor weekend continues, being out-qualified by Pierre Gasly's Alpine once more. Verstappen was 8 tenths off of pole position, unable to find any pace in that Red Bull car as it slips away from the top 3 into a fight with Haas and sister team VCARB in the Constructor's Championship.
Williams having a season to forget so far
After a season with 2 podiums and P5 in the Constructor's Championship, hopes were high for Williams in 2026. However they're 1 of only 3 teams yet to score points so far this season, with qualifying not providing any hope that points are coming soon. Carlos Sainz finishing 17th and Alex Albon 18th. On the radio after qualifying Alex Albon simply said 'Terrible'. Summing up Williams season so far.
Qualifying Results
1. KIMI ANTONELLI
2. GEORGE RUSSELL
3. LEWIS HAMILTON
4. CHARLES LECLERC
5. OSCAR PIASTRI
6. LANDO NORRIS
7. PIERRE GASLY
8. MAX VERSTAPPEN
9. ISACK HADJAR
10. OLLIE BEARMAN
11. NICO HULKENBERG
12. FRANCO COLAPINTO
13. ESTEBAN OCON
14. LIAM LAWSON
15. ARVID LINDBLAD
16. GABRIEL BORTOLETO
17. CARLOS SAINZ
18. ALEX ALBON
19. FERNANDO ALONSO
20. VALTTERI BOTTAS
21. LANCE STROLL
22. SERGIO PEREZ
1:32.064
1:32.286
1:32.415
1:32.428
1:32.550
1:32.608
1:32.873
1:33.002
1:33.121
1:33.292
1:33.354
1:33.357
1:33.538
1:33.765
1:33.784
1:33.965
1:34.784
1:34.772
1:35.203
1:35.436
1:35.995
1:36:906